Alabama native Jessie Holmes hopes for repeat victory as Iditarod sled dog race begins in Alaska

Alabama native Jessie Holmes hopes for repeat victory as Iditarod sled dog race begins in Alaska

Last year, Jessie Holmes reached the peak of his chosen sport: winner of the Iditarod.

Denali Highway neighbors battle for Iditarod lead at the Yukon River

RUBY — Mushers Jessie Holmes and Paige Drobny are in a tight competition at the front of this year’s Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. It’s similar to last year, in which the Denali Highway residents were neck and neck for much of the trail before Holmes ultimately won. “That’s my closest neighbor, 26 miles away. It’s hard to root against her,” Holmes said shortly after pulling into the Yukon River checkpoint at Ruby just before 5 a.m. Friday. Both …

Jessie Holmes reaches Yukon River first, keeps Iditarod lead

Jessie Holmes reached the Yukon River first, arriving at Ruby, Alaska to earn the First Musher to the Yukon Award. He remains in the lead as the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race heads toward the Bering Sea coast.